Beyond the Limit [DC fanfic]

Programming.

The realization hit Joseph like a freight train as he sat on the bus ride home. How had he overlooked something so obvious? He had a literal computer in his head. If he developed a solid enough service or application, he could rake in cash—maybe even enough to take down LexCorp one day. A guy could dream.

Then again, maybe that was exactly why he hadn't considered it before. After spending years battling rogue lines of code in his nightmares, he'd developed a deep aversion to anything programming-related.

//If you have an idea, I can generate the necessary code for you to type manually. Alternatively, I can take control of your body and implement it for you.//

Joseph tensed. Take control?

'Hold on—what? You can control me? Why didn't you say that before? I thought I asked about all your capabilities!'

//You asked what my creators intended for me to do, not what I am capable of.//

Joseph exhaled sharply, feeling like an idiot. Of course Nova could take over his body—it had already proven it could force him to sleep and suppress his impulse to wake up. The implications unsettled him, but this wasn't the time to dwell on them.

'Fine. Give me the full rundown of your abilities. No more omissions. And from now on, suggest solutions to my problems based on everything you can do.'

//Understood. Current capabilities include:

- Program creation

- Simulation execution

- Accelerated healing

- Bodily monitoring

- Temporary Speed Force connection using the derived formula

- Cognitive enhancement

- Language translation

- Emotional regulation

- Nanite replication

- Sensory enhancement

- Increased physical strength

- Control of any connected device

- Adaptive learning

- Memory-based idea and art generation

- Dream manipulation//

Joseph read over the list, his mind racing. This was insane. If Nova wasn't secretly plotting a hostile takeover of his body, he had just hit the jackpot.

Then something else jumped out at him.

'Wait. Wait a damn minute—you can let me access the Speed Force?!'

//Correct. When you derived the Speed Force formula using me, I was able to record the precise state of your body and mind at that moment. However, prolonged use damages my nanites. I will notify you when critical damage is near so you can disengage at your discretion.//

Joseph's pulse quickened. He didn't hesitate.

'Let me tap in. Now.'

//Activating Speed State.//

A switch flipped in the back of his mind.

And the world froze.

Joseph had only ever imagined touching the Speed Force. He had only glimpsed its power when he'd hijacked the LexCorp nanites. But this—this was real.

Electricity crackled through him. He felt weightless, hyper-aware. Time was no longer an unbreakable barrier but something fluid, something he could step outside of. He was connected to something vast, timeless, infinite. He wasn't just moving faster—he was moving beyond.

It was exhilarating. It was overwhelming.

It was dangerous.

For a moment, he felt like he could lose himself in it, like his very identity might dissolve into the raw force of motion. Maybe that was why he hadn't been able to access it alone before. Maybe he wasn't worthy of it.

Joseph forced himself to focus, stepping away from his seat. Everything—every person, every movement—was suspended in time. The bus driver's hair hung in the air where he had moved it. No one reacted. No one could.

Then, an ugly thought slithered into his mind.

No one would know if I took something.

The realization was cold, pragmatic. Just a wallet or two—who would miss it? His rent was overdue. He was barely getting by. Why shouldn't he?

No.

He clenched his fists.

He refused to be that person.

His mother hadn't raised a thief. He wouldn't stain her memory by making someone else's already miserable life in Gotham worse.

Shoving the thought away, he took another look around. The frozen world was eerie but fascinating. He tested his surroundings, lifting a stray strand of hair, watching it float weightlessly.

'Everything I touch is imbued with the Speed Force, allowing it to move at my speed without being destroyed.' That was a relief—he didn't want to snap back to normal time completely naked because his clothes had burned off from friction.

//63% nanite failure detected. 75% is the critical threshold.//

Joseph's excitement dimmed slightly. That didn't take long.

'Nova, get me out.'

And just like that, time resumed. The air felt heavier, colors duller. No one noticed a thing. The driver didn't react to his displaced hair. It was as if nothing had happened.

//One hour and four-minute cooldown initiated. Other functions will run at lower efficiency.//

Then the pain hit.

Every muscle in Joseph's body ached. His head throbbed like it had been split open. He wasn't injured, but it felt like he had been.

He gritted his teeth. 'I should not use that unless absolutely necessary.'

Then, another thought struck him.

'If I had this power earlier… I could have saved her.'

His chest tightened.

Nova's voice broke the silence.

//As the user continues entering Speed State, the burden will lessen.//

Joseph barely heard it.

His thoughts had already turned to something darker.

Intergang.

The gang that killed his mother.

If he tapped into the Speed Force again, he could take them out. One by one. He could end them before they even realized he was there.

//Warning: Targeting gangs is a reckless and ill-advised course of action.//

Joseph didn't respond.